Putin warns against populism during poll campaign

Moscow, Jan 15 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today warned all branches of the government to refrain from ''populism'' during the presidential election campaign.

The election is scheduled to be held on March 2 after which Mr Putin will step down, completing his two consecutive terms. The Constitution forbids him to run for the third term.

Addressing the leaders of the Federal Council, the upper house of Parliament, the President said, ''During the presidential election campaign, the greatest importance will be attached to social policy issues.'' ''Naturally, the success of our activity in general will depend on how effective the social policy is, because it is geared to meet the vital interests of the people,'' he said.

''In this work, there should be no place for populism or empty, unsupported promises,'' Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.

Mr Puitn also asked the upper house members to be realistic and responsible to the maximum extent and refrain from the adoption of laws which the budget could not afford.

His comment came following authorised representatives of the pro-Putin United Russia party submiting Mr Dmitry Medvedev's papers to the Russian Central Election Commission for his registration as a presidential candidate yesterday.

Under the law, the Commission has to consider the documents within ten days.

Mr Medvedev is far ahead in popularity ratings against his main rivals-- Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov and ultranationalist Russian Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky.